Folding postal card



(No Model.)

J. A. COOK.

FOLDING POSTAL CARD.

Patent-ed. Feb, 9, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. COOK, OF BUFFALO, NEWV YORK.

FOLDING POSTAL CARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 576,552, dated February 9, 1897.

Application filed February 11, 1896. Serial No. 578,858. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, JOHN A. COOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in

the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Postal Cards; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in folding postal cards; and it consists of a card or sheet of paper adapted to be folded along a central line, the card or sheet of paper being scored or partially out through upon its inside face and within and along its outer edges and provided between its lines of scoringand its outer edges with gummed surfaces adapted for sealing the folded portions.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an inside unfolded face view of my improved folding postal card. Fig. 2 is a view of the same folded and sealed ready for mailing, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 are the similar portions of the card or sheet of paper, which are adapted to be folded over upon each other along the central line 3, which is either creased or scored upon the face opposite to that shown in Fig. 1.

Within and along the outer edges 4 and 5 of the portions 1 and 2 and parallel with the same are the lines 6 and 7 of scoring, which are made by a partial cutting through of the card or paper on its inside face.

Around the outer sides of the lines of scoring 6 and 7 are the surfaces 8 and 9, preferably occupying the inner half of the spaces between the lines of scoring 6 and 7 and the outer edges 4 and 5 of the card or sheet. The spaces 8 on the three outer sides of the portion 1 of the card or sheet are gummed, as shown in shaded lines, and are adapted to register with and adhere to the ungummed spaces 9 on the three outer sides of the portion 2 of the card or sheet when folded and sealed. If desired, the surfaces 9 may also be gummed, although it is not essential.

The outer surfaceslO and 11 of the two portions 1 and 2 are preferably left ungummed, as will be hereinafter explained. The outer face of the portion 2, for instance, is used for the address and stamp, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the inner faces of both portions 1 and 2 within the lines of scoring 6 and 7 are reserved for the written or printed matter.

The scaling is accomplished by moistening the gum med surfaces 8, which, when pressed against the registering surfaces 9, seals the card or sheet, the written or printed matter being entirely concealed along all four edges of the folded card or sheet.

The unsealing or opening of the card or sheet is quickly accomplished by grasping the ungummed edges 4 and 5 at any point, say at or near the center of the upper edge, as shown at 12, (see Fig. 3,) or at either of the upper corners, and by a quick pull in opposite directions the sealed portions 1 and 2 are torn apart, the object in leaving the strips 10 and 11 ungummed being to enable the edges to be quickly spread apart and grasped to effect the separation or opening of the card or sheet. they carry with them adhering sections, each from the other, which without the lines of scoring 6 and 7 would extend into, tear away, and deface the written or printed matter. The scored lines 6 and 7 effectually prevent such mutilation and leave the written or printed matter intact, for this tearing away cannot possibly extend within the lines of scoring, as the card or paper is cut into along these scored lines, thus freeing the torn-away portions the instant the scored lines are reached.

The spaces between the lines of scoring and the outer edges of the card or sheet may be entirely gummed without departing from the spirit of my invention, but I prefer to leave the outer portions of such spaces ungummed, as shown, so as to more readily effect a separation of the sealed portions in the manner already clearly outlined.

I claim- 1. Afolding postal card consist-ing of a card or sheet of paper adapted to be folded along a central line, the card or sheet of paper being scored or partially cut through, upon its inside face and within and along its outer As the portions 1 and 2 are torn apart partially across the spaces between the said lines of scoring and the outer edges as and for the purpose stated.

In testimony whereof I have signed my I 5 name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN A. COOK.

\Vitnesses:

W. T. MILLER, F. P. KERSTEN. 

